IF last Saturday’s classic at Farrar Road was a sample of what’s to come in the Welsh Premier then we are all in for a feast of fantastic football in 2011/12.

Bangor City’s 3-2 victory against Llanelli in front of S4C’s live cameras had everything, providing a magnificent start to what is the 20th campaign for our national league.

While it is pleasing to see the WPL gain a new sponsor in Corbett Sports it was very disappointing that the news was so poorly publicised by the league. The Daily Post was not told about it.

Added to that, there was no invite for the Post to the Welsh Premier’s AGM, which is hard to understand as the paper covers the league – certainly from the North Wales point of view – so comprehensively.

Regardless, we will continue to do our best to bring you the latest news, views and reports.

As is tradition at this early stage of the season, here are my 10 players to watch in 2011/12:

NIKI-LEE BULMER (Airbus UK Broughton): This 19-year-old goalkeeper was earmarked at a young age having spent five years at Manchester United before joining Queens Park Rangers. He was loaned to Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Hayes and Yeading prior to signing for Airbus in February. Very impressive against Port Talbot on Saturday.

JACK LEWIS (Neath): Attacking full-back who was outstanding in three seasons at Prestatyn Town before going full-time with the Eagles in the summer. Lewis fully deserves his opportunity to play professionally and, at the age of 23, he has the potential to reach even bigger heights.

KAI EDWARDS (Neath): Like team-mate Lewis, was a stand-out performer in Prestatyn’s defence last season and it was no surprise to see big-spenders Neath secure his signature. Edwards already has professional experience with Wrexham and as a Wales U21 international has the class needed to shine for the Eagles.

NEIL THOMAS (Bangor City): The scene is set for another Neville Powell masterstroke. The Bangor boss has an uncanny knack of getting the very best out of players who had not realised their potential elsewhere – look at Jamie Reed, Craig Garside and Chris Sharp as examples. Neil Thomas has always been a quality midfielder in the WPL, but one suspects his second marriage with Bangor could end up his happiest yet.

CONALL MURTAGH (Bala Town): Bala already have arguably the league’s finest midfielder at their disposal in Mark Jones, so to add a player of Murtagh’s ability alongside can only be a top move. The ex-Northern Ireland U21 international and Wrexham man has WPL experience with the likes of TNS and Rhyl and he can help Bala achieve their best season in the top flight by far.

CHRIS DAVIES (Prestatyn Town): A versatile young player of tremendous potential, Davies was unfortunate not to be able to command a regular place at Bastion Gardens last term. Expect him to feature a lot more this season and develop into a high class Welsh Premier operator.

TOBY JONES (Neath): Scoring 40-odd goals in the Welsh Alliance League is one thing – but hitting the net regularly two levels above in the Welsh Premier is another. Jones is capable of making the step up at Neath, though. He might not always be a regular, but expect Jones to make his mark this season. He is much more than a goal-getter, he’s a good footballer too.

CORTEZ BELLE (Port Talbot Town): Not a newcomer by any means, but a player whose flair and ability to score stunning goals will light up the Welsh Premier. Much-travelled former Merthyr Tydfil, Newport County and Chester City man who can adapt to most positions. Spent two impressive seasons at Llanelli between 2005-07.

MARK JONES (Airbus UK Broughton): Anglesey teenager who top scored for Bodedern in the Welsh Alliance last season and impressed Airbus boss Craig Harrison enough to sign him. Jones, who has also shone in front of goal for the North Wales Coast Under-18 side, notched a hat-trick for the Wingmakers in a pre-season friendly and could emerge as a real diamond.

DAVE ROBERTS (Prestatyn Town): Made an impact on his Prestatyn debut at the weekend by saving a penalty at Afan Lido. Roberts won the FA Youth Cup with Liverpool a few years back. Much of the focus in pre-season was on the players Prestatyn lost, but by the end of the campaign they might all be talking about the keeper they signed.